Basel is a beautiful Swiss city situated along the Rhine and strategically located on the crossing between Switzerland, Germany and France. In the 19th and 20th-century the city was a powerhouse for the dye industry. The first synthetic dyes were discovered and developed in Basel. Fuchsin (fuchsia red) and indigo blue, being among the first crucial synthetic colours, dominated the global market and were important for the textile, paper, and leather industries. 
 
This photo series explores Basel, documenting life in the city. Throughout the serie it’s clear that the Rhine plays an important role. The Rhine and its borders are an essential element in the city, shaping the city but also acting as an important open space. What was once a polluted river, today the Rhine is cleaned up and all kinds of activities emerge in and along the river. People use it as a highway, floating downstream with their wickelfisch bags. The borders are transformed into popular qualitative public spaces with terraced concrete quays, woorden platforms and pebble beaches. 
 
The black and white analogue photo’s are complemented with fuchsia and indigo planes recalling the former dye industry. As with textile the dye adds depth, character and charm. At the same time the coloured planes divide the photo, reconstructing the image, redirecting the view. Within each landscape (or portrait) image a portrait (or landscape) image is identified as part of an ongoing fascination for these two dominant orientations.
 
Shot with a Pentax SP1000 camera with Ilford delta 100 and FP4 film.
2025